Chairman Calls On Tipperary To Embrace New Football Proposals

In a wide ranging address to the Tipperary GAA Convention last week, Mr Burke said Padraig O'Dufaigh recently attended a County Board meeting to explain the new football proposals and agreed that Tipperary should embrace the idea

'I believe the time has come for us now to embrace these proposals. Why should we be one of the few counties against change that will afford our players more games and an opportunity to express their playing ability? Let's get behind these proposals and show we can compete at the highest level,' he said.

The Tipperary Chairman, who enters his third year, also covered the success by Tipperary in Senior and minor hurling while admiring the great run by Tipperary footballers. In addition he highlighted the need for clubs to play their games at the earliest possible time in order to cause no delay in their completion while also sounding a warning to clubs about the amount of money they spend on outside managers.

Senior Hurling

'In the Autumn of last year Michael Ryan and his management began preparations for 2016. This journey culminated in Croke Park on All Ireland final day with victory as our just reward. It is great to see all the hard work paying off. All involved are very committed to facing up to the challenge of retaining the title in the coming year. Our performances in 2016 reflected the style and charisma of traditional Tipperary hurling. Let's hope that 2017 delivers that illusive double for Tipp.'

Minor Hurling

'Adding the minor All-Ireland and Munster titles completed a magnificent double for Tipperary. While our minor hurlers lost their first game to Waterford their victory over Cork was the evening this bunch of players set the tone for the remainder of the year. Every game there after they prepared well, delivered performances and when Brian McGrath collected the Irish Press Cup it was no more than they deserved. Well done to Liam Cahill and his team.'

Senior Footballers

'Our senior footballers entertained us all Summer long. While winning no silverware they showed tremendous ability and commitment to their game. Well done to Liam Kearns and his backroom team on bringing football to a new level in Tipperary. Every year we plan that the senior hurlers will be in the knockout stages of the championship, now it is time for all fixture bodies to plan that both our senior teams will be competing until late Summer. Let's hope we will have many more days of enjoyment as our footballers continue on their upward trend.'

All Stars

'In claiming eight All Stars, seven hurlers and one footballer, it was a fantastic achievement for Tipperary but it seems to me that it is a disadvantage for any county to have two players nominated for a single award. We should be asking Croke Park to have a look at the voting system.'

Finance

'Finance is always an issue but thankfully tonight our Treasurer reports an operating surplus for the year. I would like to acknowledge the contribution of the vast array of people who support our many fundraisers during the year and also our patrons who attend our games. Elverys, our main sponsors should be complimented on the manner in which they have dealt with us during the past two years and hopefully this is a relationship we can build on into the future.'

Club Finance

'While all our club units are struggling to raise funds it is hard to watch the massive amounts of monies that are being interchanged between the clubs and outside trainers. I would put the figure between seven and ten thousands per club. Take for example that most senior clubs have an outside trainer - can clubs sustain this level of expenditure.'

Football Committee

'In our Secretary's report he has addressed the issues of the football committee and their need to assess and improve their contribution. The County Board's contribution to football has often being questioned but when you look at the financial report here tonight you will see that is a myth, so hopefully in the new year the football committee will commence this review.'

Club Fixtures

'It would be remiss of me nor to compliment the County CCC on reaching all their deadlines for Munster championship but however it is disturbing to see in some divisions having large number of games not played and walkovers given - in excess of twenty in one division. This is not fair to the players. The mentors of these teams and divisions have a responsibility to improve their standards. The recent debacle over the Under-21 hurling was finally resolved but I hope that lessons have been learned and collectively all of us have a responsibility to ensure the games are played at the earliest opportunity and not when clubs have players available because here lies a big difference that causes major problems.'

Dr Morris Park/Semple Stadium

'The activity in Dr Morris Park over the past twelve months has been enormous from under-8s up to our senior teams. While progress has been slow on a proposed development I do believe recent discussions between Semple Stadium and the County Board on what might be a new concept for the future may well be worth waiting for. A small committee has been set up between the County Board Officers and Semple Stadium management who meet regularly and this has led to new ideas on the way forward using both Dr Morris Park and Semple Stadium. Watch this space.'

Thanks

'My thanks to everyone who has helped us as County Board Officers to ensure that Tipperary is the best it can be, whatever your contribution be it big or small, it was much appreciated. Thanks to our executive committee for their contribution, their time and advice. Tipperary County Board takes a lot of time and careful management and in January the officers will be planning the year ahead and implementing a number of changes that need to be made to enhance our operation.'

Media

'The reporting of our games to both our own association members and the wider community is most important be it through social and print or the radio. I thank all the contributors, to the Tipperary Star, The Nationalist, The Nenagh Guardian, Midland Tribune, Tipp FM and Tipp Mid West for their vast coverage of our games. It is really appreciated. I would commend all our photographers also for their diligent work.'

2017

'As 2016 draws to a close tonight our hopes are high as we set out on the road for 2017. We are labelled as the team to beat in hurling. Our footballers have set new standards. All our teams have the desire and drive to succeed and let's hope when we meet in December of next year we will be reflecting on another successful year for Tipperary. '